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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500

Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Olympus E-420 front
 
Olympus E-500 front
Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-410
Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Increase to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Introduced October 2005
  • Also Known as EVOLT E-500
  • New Model is Olympus E-510
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both produced by Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and E-500 (8MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-420 was revealed 2 years later than the E-500 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-420 scores vs the E-500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus E-500

 E-420 E-500 
IntroducedJune 2008October 2005Fresher by 33 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k215kCrisper screen (+15k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus E-420

 E-500 E-420 

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-500

 E-420 E-500 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-420 features exterior dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus E-500 has sizing of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-420 against the E-500.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and E-500 is 77 and 70 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The photograph below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and E-500.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus E-420 to produce greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer E-420 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-500 Portrait photography factors
57
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (10MP)
49
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no liveview
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography info
Olympus E-500 Street photography info
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (426g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (479g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-500 Sports photography highlights
39
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
low battery pack (500 shots)
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-420
Travel photography with Olympus E-500
53
lighter than competition (426g)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (500 per charge)
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than others (479 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (8MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-500 Landscape photography factors
47
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (500 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
43
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
max ISO too low (400)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-500 Vlogging factors
9
no video recording
9
no video recording
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-500
 Olympus E-420Olympus E-500
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-420 Olympus E-500
Also referred to as - EVOLT E-500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-06-23 2005-10-21
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 8MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3264 x 2448
Maximum native ISO 1600 400
Maximum boosted ISO - 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 45
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.5"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 215 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.45x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lbs) 479 gr (1.06 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $999 $600